Page 250 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

228 Part VI—Chap. XLV.

by fear of Wahabi arms as sympathy with Wahabi tents, vied with each other
in tendering their allegiance to Foysal’s representative. Elated with greater
suoooss than ho had expected, Syed bin Aluiluk ravaged the territories of
the Sohar Chief, seized tho fort of Mujis, butchering all its garrison, aud
compelled tho Chief to consent to a very heavy tribute. Ho at tho name
time dcmandod a largo tributo from Maskat, and was preparing to onforco
tho request by invasion. At this juncture tho Bombay Government again
addressed tho Government of India, enquiring what was to bo done if tho
Imam asked for our help against tho Wahabis. The Govornmout of India
roplied on May Gth in tho following terms
(i jt WOuld appear that Foysnl-bio-Turki, in whoso uamo and on whoso behalf the present
expedition of Syud-bin-Mutluk has boon undertaken, has not hitherto done more than
endeavour to re-establish tho Wahabi supremacy as it existed in tho time of his fathor, Turki-
bin-Saud before tho Egyptian uggrosuion roduoed tho Wahabi power, aud that it is tho
opinion of Major Honnoll that our interests with respect to tho maritime Arabs aro likely to
suffer by Syud bin Mutluk’s proceedings.
u if thorofore tho mero eslablishraont of tho Wahabi power in Oman and the recoption
of tho willing allowance of the maritimo Chiefs whom on a former oocasiou we took under our
promotion and encouraged to roristanco wera to be the only result of tho present expedition of
Syud-bin-Mutluk, the Governor-Goner.il in Council would sco no occasion to modify tho
opinion given in the letter from this office of 7th October 181-3, that our interference is not
called for; but if it appear to bo tho purpose of Foysal-bin-Turki to extend the Wahabi
supremacy beyond former limits and to onoronch upon the possessions of our ally, the Imam
of Maskat, or if tho result of theso proceeding* are fouud detrimental to our relations with
the Maritime Arabs and our measures for the suppression of piracy, a case for our interference
will in the opinion of the Governor-General in Counoil, arise, aud it may be perhaps desirable
in such case for you to instruct the local authorities to declare to Feysal-bin-Turki that our
forbearance from which ho may havo hitherto taken some encouragement, will bo extended
no further/and that we caunot oouutouance or allow wanton aggression on the territories of
our ancient ally.
a The Governor-General in Council is disposed to think that tho explicit expression of our
feelings on this subject will be sufficient to cause the Wahabi Chief to desist from active
operations, should they be contemplated, against the Maskat district, or that, at any rate,
a demonstration by sea by the force now in the Gulf will produce tho desired effect. On
this subject the local Government of Bombay will be better able to form a judgment than
the Governor-General in Council.
a The Governor-General in Council, however, wishes it to be understood that he would
not, on the one baud, commit the Government at the present moment to a line of policy
which would be likely to involve the necessity of despatching troops to the Gulf, nor would he,
on the other, make to the Wahabi Chief or his agent Syud bin Mutluk a threat which be
would not be prepared fully to carry out.
it if therefore the Bombay Government consider that a more declaration of our views or
naval operations alone will iu all probability effeot what is desired, the Governor-General in
Council authorizes the Bombay Government to instruct the local authorities accordingly ; but
if on this subject His Honour in Council entertains doubt, he is requested to refer to us again
with a full exposition of the views aud opiuions of the Bombay Government for the farther
instructions of the Government of India.”